Page 32 of Ravaged From Fate

And he then proceeds – as he said he would - to show me exactly how to throw a hit.

As he does so, he gets close to me. Very close. He touches my arm as he guides me into position. My skin shudders at his gentle but firm contact as he takes me in his hands. I would like to say I listen intently to his instructions, but I actually spend the whole time he’s instructing me by just absorbing the texture of his deep, manly, confident voice. His authority basically hypnotizes me on the spot.

“You know, both Juniper and I have spent years trying to teach this girl how to box,” Cyrus remarks. “And she’s never taken us up on our offer, but she does it for you, Caspian.”

The man whose hands clasp mine smiles at that comment.

“You’re obviously new at this,” he says to me in a near-whisper. “But you’ve got ability. You’ll be breaking skulls in no time.”

“Like you?”

He chuckles quietly. “Yes. Like me.”

“That’s what I want to do. Knock out my enemies, so I don’t need you around.”

“You want me around?” he asks.

“That’s not what I meant.”

He chuckles darkly again.

“Let’s see what your arm can do,” he says, raising his palm flat towards me. “Punch my hand.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“You’re not going to get hurt?”

“Elsa, I’ve been in a lot of fights. Trust me, you can’t hurt me.”

I shrug. “Okay, then. Get ready for the biggest hit of your life…”

I lean back, and then, with all my weight, I punch Caspian’s open hand.

The man falls back with a yell. He doubles over and I immediately panic.

“Oh, crap. Are you alright, Caspian?”

I can’t see his face. He’s holding his hand in pain.

Oh, shit. I’ve hurt him.

And then he laughs. A booming laugh. He straightens up and looks at the rest of us, a giant smile from ear to ear.

My breathing resumes. My panic is over.

“Just joking,” he explains, and now I really do want to punch him.

“You’re an idiot,” I say, pushing against his muscular pecs. My strength doesn’t even budge him. Caspian continues to laugh at my expense.

“This has been fun,” he says to all of us. “But it’s time for me to head off. Thanks, Cyrus, for the sparring session. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Sure, brother.”

He’s completely changed. No longer the brooding, stoic man. Now he’s laughing with abandon and with a cheery grin on his gorgeous face.

“See you later, Juniper,” he continues. “And I guess I’ll see you around, Elsa.”